PLAYER RATINGS | France 4-0 Ukraine: Les Bleus qualify for the 2026 World Cup

FIFA World Cup Qualifying, Matchday 5, 13/11/25

France have booked their place for the 2026 World Cup in winning against Ukraine, thus topping Group D of the European qualifiers. Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise gave Les Bleus a three-goal lead before Hugo Ekitike opened his account for Les Bleus.

The Match

After Paris’ Parc des Princes remembered the victims of the November 13 attacks, France got off to a decent start against Ukraine. The hosts camped in their opponents’ half, but the plethora of attacking options at Didier Deschamps’ disposal fired blanks.

With Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé starting together for France for the first time, the quatuor struggled to strike partnerships, although the Manchester City attacking midfielder was more often that not given the ball to.

Ukraine’s low block frustrated France, whose best opportunities to score came from long-range shots, particularly from Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola. As for Ukraine, Serhiy Rebrov’s men were very well organised, but the space they were afforded was easily dealt with by Dayot Upamecano and William Saliba. Ukrainians haven’t logged a single shot in the first half.

The visitors thought they were given an unlikely chance to open the scoring as Slavko Vincic was asked to review a contact between Upamecano and Yehor Nazaryna. The Slovenian referee opted not to give Ukraine a penalty, but he would have no choice but to give France one as Michael Olise’s left foot was stomped on by Taras Mykhavko.

Kylian Mbappé stepped up and wait for Anatoliy Trubin to commit before finding the back of the net with a neat Panenka. The captain logged his 54th goal, three goals short from Olivier Giroud’s outright record of 57. 

Mbappé’s goal opened up Ukraine, and France were now in full flow. Les Bleus finally found some urgency, zip and ruthlessness in the final third. Michael Olise gave France breathing space with a well-taken shot, thanks in no small part to N’Golo Kanté’s tireless press.

Reinforcements from the French bench further deepened Ukraine’s woes. Maghnes Akliouche was brimming with energy and Hugo Ekitike was a menace throughout. The Liverpool centre-forward was heavily involved in France’s third goal, with Mbappé given a tap-in for his 55th France goal. Ekitike then opened his account for Les Bleus with minutes remaining on the clock.

France needed a win to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and they did just that thanks to a ruthless second half display which highlighted the attacking firepower at Deschamps’ disposal.

France player ratings

Mike Maignan – 5

Jules Koundé – 4

William Saliba – 6

Dayot Upamecano – 6

Lucas Digne – 5

N’Golo Kanté – 7

A welcome return to form from the Al-Ittihad man, who puts in a tireless performance, filling the midfield gaps and recovering balls for fun, including the one that led to Olise’s goal. Back in business.

Manu Koné – 5

Michael Olise – 6

Rayan Cherki – 5

Bradley Barcola – 4

Kylian Mbappé – 7

The captain had a timid start to the game, but he stepped up in the second half. He took his responsabilities when France needed it the most, opening the scoring from the spot-kick and leading by example Les Bleus’ attacking firepower. He’s now two goals short of Olivier Giroud’s record and his partnership with Hugo Ekitike is full of promises.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval